Lithium Metal Electrode

Abstract

A lithium metal electrode is disclosed in this invention. The lithium metal electrode includes a lithium metal layer, a plurality of gate layers and a current collector layer having a plurality of holes. The gate layers are disposed corresponding to the holes. The lithium metal layer and the gate layers are disposed correspondingly. The lithium metal layer is insulated via the gate layers and / or the current collector layer before formation. While the gate layers are alloyed with the lithium ions from the media such as the electrolyte, the alloyed gate layers may provide the ionic access for the lithium metal layer so that the lithium metal layer may feedback the lithium ions back to the chemical system of the electricity supply system. Also, at the same time, the potentials of all the gate layers may be kept equally to the potential of the lithium metal layer.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority based on Taiwan Patent Applications No. 103124343, filed on Jul. 16, 2014 and No. 104118226, filed on Jun. 5, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention is related to an electrode, in particular to an electrode having gate layers.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Comparing to the current non-lithium battery system, the lithium battery system has advantages of high operation voltage (up to 3.6V), high energy density (up to 120 Wh / kg), light weight, longer cycle life, friendly to the environment and so on. According to the researching history of the lithium battery system, the earliest lithium battery developed is the rechargeable lithium metal battery which has pretty high energy density but meanwhile has serious issues of stability and safety because of the high chemical reacting ability to the electrolyte. Considering the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new type of lithium metal electrode for batteries that can be used to create a higher energy density battery. The lithium metal layer is completely covered and can be processed in the same way as conventional lithium-based batteries. The gate layer can alloy with the lithium ions and the lithium metal layer, and this alloy can expand to create porous paths for the lithium ions and metal to react with each other. This new electrode can be easily assembled into a conventional lithium battery.

Problems solved by technology

According to the researching history of the lithium battery system, the earliest lithium battery developed is the rechargeable lithium metal battery which has pretty high energy density but meanwhile has serious issues of stability and safety because of the high chemical reacting ability to the electrolyte.

However, the electrolyte of the lithium-ion battery system is the liquid comprising organic solvents so that the evaporation, ignition problems occur inevitably.

Besides, the electrolyte leaks due to the poor sealing of the battery and this causes the safety issue.

Consequently, the capacity of the battery system becomes the important developing issue again.

In the past, the development of the lithium metal battery system was suspended due to its safety issue.

However, because the lithium metal has high chemical activity, an extreme oxidation-reduction reaction occurs if the lithium metal is not stored or operated under the proper condition.

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